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Category Archives: knitting

My newest knitting pattern, Nolan, is now live! Yay! I really do adore this hat, and it may be my new go-to for babies, toddlers, children, and maybe even for myself. I’m not just saying it because it’s my pattern, either! I promise!

Now that we’ve gotten the exclamation points out of the way, let’s talk details.

I got the idea for a garter rib body after knitting about a dozen Snow Day Cowls, a pattern by my friend and fellow designer Sue. I loved the idea of a hat that had a garter rib body, and was surprised that I didn’t find one. But I never sit down to put the hat together, mostly because I was intimidated with finding a way to make the crown come together nicely. Then my sister got pregnant with her second child and decided not to find out what she was having. Suddenly, I *needed* a gender neutral baby hat, and I knew this was where garter rib could work. So I went to work.

Nolan is sized for newborns, infants, toddlers, and children. I had a variety of head sizes to work with here at the house, but I also referenced Kate Oates’ great head sizing chart. Because heads come in many different shapes and sizes, this was a wonderful resource for me as a designer (and a knitter).

Nolan is knit in sportweight or DK weight yarn. I knit my first sample in Huckleberry Knits Nootka Merino sportweight (the Huckleberry colorway) on 3.25 mm needles. I knit my second sample in String Theory Hand-dyed Merino DK (the Nevirrik colorway), also on 3.25 mm needles.

One of my favorite things about this pattern is the stretch that the the garter rib has, without all the work of regular 2×2 ribbing. In fact, if I had added extra length to the toddler-sized hat I knit for Jessica, I could have worn it!

There’s a new hat pattern for newborns (infants, toddlers, children) off to the test knitters today! Aptly named for Nolan, my newest nephew who inspired the design, I hope to have it released in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the pattern details:

Yarn: Any sportweight or DK yarn that you can get gauge with, approximately 50 (65, 80, 100) yards per hat

Needles: 1 set of 3.25 mm dpns

Additional Notions: 1 stitch marker, darning needle

Gauge: Approximately 12 stitches to 2 inches over in garter rib (unstretched)

Today I woke up to a pleasant surprise–all of you visiting my site! My friend Samantha informed me that awesome author, blogger, mother, and knitter soulemama had knit one of my designs and blogged about it. I cannot tell you how excited I was…there just aren’t words! I love knitting, knitters, blogging, bloggers, and the online community that so many of us share!

What a great way to start a week!

the original "in threes: a baby cardigan"

If you’re looking for details about in threes: a baby cardigan, you can purchase the pattern via download at Ravelry (you don’t need to be a member to purchase…but join…Ravelry rocks!). I really hope you enjoy it!

I’ve actually finished all the eyelet row and am ready to start on the fleurette mesh. Unfortunately, the end of the month has pushed this to the back burner. I’m hoping to have knitting time tonight…we’ll see…

I continue to trudge through the WIP pile, anxious to finish up items already on the needles and prepare for a busy fall of knitting and designing. With any luck, you’ll see a FO of these fingerless mitts(designed by me close friend Sue) come Friday!

Note: The photo was taken the other night. I promise I’m not drinking at 7:30 on a Wednesday morning!

Yes, I know that it’s Saturday. But it seemed only fitting to follow up a WIP Wednesday post with info on the finished object. FO Saturday just doesn’t sound as good.

My sample of “Practically” is off the needles, loose ends are woven in, and the test knitters are hard at work. I began today with some trepidation–what if it wasn’t worth the work? Will it receive the reception “in threes: a baby cardigan” has received? There’s no telling…

But I’m pleased with it, the feedback has been good so far, and only time will tell!